From Odyssey to Adventure

Dolica RX Series Tripods MSRP: $250-350

Available in 60”and 70” lengths: Aluminum and Carbon Fiber

#myodyssey to follow along on Facebook and Instagram

When I actually sit down and think about all of the abuse our tripods take on a daily basis it becomes astonishing. Let’s be honest, we all want the same features in a tripod… It needs to be lightweight (especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast like myself), it needs to be sturdy with some of the largest DSLR cameras weighing anywhere from 5 to even 15 pounds depending on lenses and peripherals. The tripod also needs to be quick, it shouldn’t be a 10 minute adventure to get it opened and set up for use. And obviously, the most important aspect is it must look good and make you look good while shooting your photos. (well this is a joke but self-confidence is key ha ha) J

Dolica’s most recent lineup of extreme tripods recently hit the market and I was lucky enough to get first hand love with one of their new odyssey tripods. The team sent me over the 70” Aluminum version to try out around January and I have had a few months to buckle in everything from Go Pro’s to DSLR cameras even a small mirrorless setup to see how it would perform. To give an overall opinion without completely blowing away the rest of the article this is my first impression…. WOW…

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Dolica has always had a great eye for design. Every tripod I have used to date has always looked good… They keep it very professional with sleek black legs, very minimal brand endorsement aside from the small logos on the leg locks, the occasional purple sticker and of course the identifier on the ball heads. Every other product I have shopped for in the past makes me an ambassador by plugging logos all over my gear, Dolica does the opposite…. They give you a firm foundation to work from and let the product speak for itself. I have always been the kind of person that is fond on getting the most for my dollar, probably the main reason I have always loved these products. They do what they are supposed to, the support is fantastic, and the company continues to progress in design and quality every opportunity they get.

First things first. My favorite part of the Odyssey lineup is the fact that it is extremely light weight. Being a nature and landscape photographer at heart, having a tripod that is easy on the back is an amazing advantage. Having one that is rugged, resistant to sand and water and is extremely lightweight is just a god send. I typically carry a Lowepro pack with a couple of lenses, a Nikon and Fujifilm body as well as a variety of accessories. Having a bulky tripod in addition to all the gear can be a pain, but it is a necessity for creative work when out in nature. Luckily the Odyssey is light weight and not an issue when hiking, climbing and even just a general stroll.

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Now let’s get into the guts… The tripod is pretty glamourous. The red anodized leg locks hide an amazing and lubricant free leg lock system. Not only does this keep the sand from “gunking” up the threads of the tripod clasps and “grinding” it also makes cleaning the tripod a breeze. The channels that screw the lock into place are nice and wide in are far more resistant to the sneaking sand than your traditional threads. Cleanup on the tripod is a breeze if you ever need it. You simply loosen the clasps and a quick rinse of water cleans up the mess in the rare event dirt or sand creeps its way into the clasp.

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The ballhead on the tripod meets and by far exceeds any of the previous ones I have used on other models of the Dolica system. It is stout, features a level for precision when creating compositions. It also utilizes the arca-swiss compatible clasping system that makes it wonderful for using with l-brackets or even some of the integrated grip systems companies like Fujifilm incorporate into the grip additions for their mirrorless cameras. The ball head is metal and extremely versatile for landscape or even studio work. I have used a variety of sizes of camera on the ballhead and without a doubt has handled them all with ease (the largest being a DSLR with accessories and Dolica Cammcomander attached).

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Beyond the ballhead the overall stability of the system is top notch. Not only do you get a professional, extreme weather resistant foundation, Dolica continues to incorporate the additional monopod option into one of the three legs of the system. You get the same features and sturdiness of the tripod with the versatility of the monopod as well when three legs are not necessary.

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My overall review of this system is that it meets and exceeds all of my needs. It is priced extremely competitively in a market with some very big name competitors and it delivers above and beyond. I have not yet had the chance to review the carbon fiber system but I have no doubt is lives up to and even exceeds that of the aluminum model for only slightly more dough. So if you are looking for an extremely versatile, sturdy and lightweight professional tripod look no further than the Odyssey system from Dolica.

Pros:

Water & Sand Resistant

Beautiful Design

Sturdy Ball Head

Incredibly Lightweight (Aluminum, CF is probably even lighter and more sturdy)

Cons:

There are none

If you are interested in purchasing or learning more about the Dolica Odyssey or another Dolica system please be sure to shop from the links below to help support my growing business.

Also for a limited time I am offering $100 off of the purchase of The Dolica Cam Commander by purchase through the following link and use of the coupon code BDS50